Zespri International is funding research to understand the lifecycle of the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) on organic and conventional kiwifruit in China, part of its native range. Now, Chinese scientists are making progress which could help prevent the brown marmorated stink bug spreading in New Zealand.
Dr Jin-ping Zhang, Senior Project Scientists based at CABI’s center in China, has also been busy testing the efficacy of a natural enemy for the brown marmorated stink bug; the parasitoid Asian Samurai Wasp (Trissolcus japonicus).
The brown marmorated stink bug is the kiwifruit industry’s second-most unwanted biosecurity threat after fruit flies; the risk of it entering New Zealand is considered extreme. Dr Zhang’s research has so far shown that brown marmorated stink bug egg periods optimum for parasitoid release are May to middle June and from early July to middle August. Dr Zhang adds that three continuous releases of the natural enemy in May was effective, for example, to control the first generation of eggs – therefore, keeping the fruit damage at a low level until the end of July.
Source: blog.invasive-species.org